Michael McIntyre has become Britain’s biggest comedy star. His debut stand-up DVD, Live & Laughing, was the fastest selling of all time, only to be eclipsed by his second, Hello Wembley, which sold over 1.4 million copies and was the 2009 Christmas number one. He hosts his own BAFTA nominated BBC1 series, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, and won the British Comedy Award for Best Live Stand-up in 2009 following his record breaking 54-date Arena tour.

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Michael McIntyre has become Britain’s biggest comedy star. His debut stand-up DVD, Live & Laughing, was the fastest selling of all time, only to be eclipsed by his second, Hello Wembley, which sold over 1.4 million copies and was the 2009 Christmas number one. He hosts his own BAFTA nominated BBC1 series, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, and won the British Comedy Award for Best Live Stand-up in 2009 following his record breaking 54-date Arena tour.

But how did he get there? Michael reveals all and gives a hilarious performance in this audio edition of his remarkably honest autobiography. His showbiz roots, his appalling attempts to attract the opposite sex, his fish-out-of-water move from public to state school, and his astonishing journey from selling just one ticket at the Edinburgh Festival to selling half a million tickets on his last tour - all are revealed. Michael’s story is riveting, poignant, romantic, and above all, very, very funny.

I expected an interesting story with some funny bits. I think this is better than reading the book yourself as you get to listen to Micheal himself. While the book covers some sad and hard times in his life it is not depressing but very funny. He is also able to convey his feelings and emotions for both the sad and happy times to give you an idea of how he felt and what he was going through. The book had me in tears frequently, some tears off sadness but mostly tears of laughter. Fortunately I was home alone listening so no problem for the times when I just couldn't hold the laughter in.
He also gives the rest of us an idea of how hard it is to become a success in comedy, you don't just walk into a club and start telling jokes and bingo your famous. I've often thought that people in showbiz must all have big egos just to get up on stage and assume people want to see / hear them. I've never considered that they want to make us happy by performing or that their disapointment at lack of success might not be purely financially motivated.
I hope Micheal has many more years of entertaining ahead of him and that he has plans for further books.

I loved this audiobook. Have become a fan of Michael McIntyres comedy and found it a really interesting story of how he got to where he is today. It is not a book of all laughs, I had tears at times, but was an inspirational story by someone who has faced a lot to get his success. Read brilliantly by Michael himself. Would recommend.

Absolutely would listen to this again. The author/narrator has such a wonderful outlook on life, he can find humor even in hard times.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Life and Laughing?

I love how McIntyre opens the first few chapters by chiding the listener for being "too lazy" to read the book for themselves; there are other comments that he makes while reading that seem to be spontaneous as well. The delivery is so natural, so fresh and authentic.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to almost half in one sitting, then the rest the following day.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story is excellent

What did you like best about this story?

The usual gentle McIntyre humour.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Michael McIntyre?

Michael seems to have recorded this at his home office using a desk mike without a professional sound studio. The sound volume annoyingly fades in and out as Michael seems to change distance from the mike.

I found this audiobook to be tremediously entertaining. Firstly, Micheal himself is reading, simply adding to the comedy value from the book. He tells stories as if he's on stage performing to a crowd.

Excellent Book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Life and Laughing?

Although being sad, around Chapters 15 - 22, while Micheal's becoming more and more in debt and his struggles to pay everything gets more and more demanding. He adds a funny touch to this stressfull situation.

Listening to Michael MacIntyre's autobiography as an audio book is by far and away the best way to enjoy his life story. His voice is so wonderfully engaging that I found myself smiling just listening to the subtle laughter in his speech, and he has the most wonderful ability to mimic the various voices from his past, which he uses to the full. Everytime I heard the grandmother's 'Hello Darling' in her Hungarian accent I started to smile, and his version of a pseudo-Jackie Mason when he was doing his Jewish accent is worthy of a BAFTA.
This is the sort of book that can embarrass the reader if listening on a train or bus as explosions of laughter will erupt without warning. I had a quiet spot at work and listened to the chapter about his mother adopting other people's accents and had to pretend I had a choking fit when his mother went into the shop run by a Rasterfarian.
It is also deeply touching, and the section about his father's death had me in tears. Altogether a masterpiece of comedic writing and as in the title, an absolute pleasure from start to finish.

24 of 24 people found this review helpful

David

Penrhyn Bay, United Kingdom

10/30/10

Overall

"A perfect performer of a life - I loved it!"

Having seen this guy a couple of times on the TV I was expecting a few giggles in this book. I got chortles, gaffaws and down right pant wetting moments! Some people read audiobooks very well. Some people are very funny, but it doesn't come over in this format. This book is a hilarious exeption. Michael McIntyre performs his book so well that I have to give him 5 stars. This is one of the best performances of his life - he should be very proud :)

16 of 16 people found this review helpful

Diane

Amesbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

12/15/10

Overall

"Life and Laughing"

Fantastic.... Buy it! It made me laugh in hospital while waiting for some pretty serious test results enjoyed every minute.... of the book , not the waiting.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

London

2/2/11

Overall

"Fantastically entertaining"

Whilst not being a devoted McIntyre fan, I've always found him entertaining, if a little mainstream. And whilst he's not had the most tumultuous of lives, the story of how hard he worked to make it as a comic is both entertaining and inspiring.

As an audio product this really works, definately superior to the print version in that it's his story brilliantly narrated by himself, and where he's added extra chapter introductions specifically to this audio product. Little touches like that make this product very special.

Hugely entertaining, I think I finished this on a return trip to Cornwall. Highly recommended.

17 of 18 people found this review helpful

A. Tomkins

Northamptonshire, UK

2/2/11

Overall

"Funny man"

Very funny and insightful book which will have you smirking trying not to laugh in public when you listen to it. Read in a similar manner to his stand up performances, his cheerful enjoyment in telling the stories is apparent throughout. I listened to number of passages twice as they amused me so much and may come back and listen to the whole thing again.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Vincent

Dublin, Ireland

12/1/10

Overall

"Hilarious, Authentic and Inspirational!"

I have bought and listed to over 80 Audio books from Audible and this is the first time I have been compelled to write a review. Michael McIntyre is hilarious. I was already hooked having seen him live in Cork last year, however one cannot help being touched by his self affacing description of his shortcomings, his unabashed adoration of his wife and kids and his love for what he does. His telling of the story is funny in itself but his impressions of his family members and other characters really add to the impact.
This guy is an inspiration. He has found what he loves and overcome lots of obstacles to make a living from it. It took him almost 10 years of persistence and hard work to become an overnight success!
I listened to the book in the car and nearly choked on many occasions as I tried to stifle the compulsion to laugh out loud trying to avoid the other depressed Dublin commuters thinking that I had lost it.
This book should be compulsory listening for everyone tired of hearing about economic doom and gloom in the media. It is funny and inspriational. Highly recommended

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Stefanie

10/26/10

Overall

"Michael McIntyre at his very best"

Loved it! From holidays in Hungary with an eccentric Grandmother to trying every ploy invented to win the girls over, this book is fabulous, laugh out loud fun. I recommend it to anyone looking for a thoroughly enjoyable listen, and all Michael McIntyre fans should have a copy! He makes a great narrator - listen out for the fabulous Jackie Mason impression.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Joanne

Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, United Kingdom

1/31/11

Overall

"Delightfully delicious!"

I came late to Michael having moved to Australia some years ago but from the first time I saw him on Top Gear I have loved his work.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, sometimes an autobiography from someone under 40 can be a little thin on content but I was delighted and enchanted by his story.

In particular I was struck by just what it took to become the 'overnight sensation' he has, it must take a special kind of dedication (or crazy) to keep plugging away year after year on the comedy circuit.

Every word of this is pure Michael and I loved it.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Sian

Newport, Newport, United Kingdom

1/29/11

Overall

"Warning: do not listen to in the car!!!!!!"

This is so hilarious that if you listen to it in the car you will definately have a crash because you will be crying from laughter and will not be able to see where you are going!
I can't recommend this enough. I have actually read the book but listening to the king of comedy read it to me made me laugh all over again.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Rowan

Wales

10/21/10

Overall

"He does have floppy hair"

His stand up is for everyone. Non offensive and pretty funny. His book is much the same. I enjoyed it from start to finish. The fact he is reading it makes it worth giving it a go as he does so with fun and pleasure. A funny book. Try it you wont be offended.

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